Attack Victim Speaks Out
7 February 2013, 06:00 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50
The victim of an assault in Leicester has released pictures of his injuries in the hope that members of the public will help police to locate the offender.
The 36-year-old victim, who does not want to be named, received serious injuries following the assault and has had to have major reconstruction surgery.
The incident happened at around 3.25am on Sunday December 16, 2012, in Belvoir Street near to the junction of Bowling Green Street.
The victim was walking along the street when he accidently brushed shoulders with another man. He turned around to apologise and was suddenly punched in the face causing him to fall to the ground and lose consciousness.
The suspect then carried on walking down towards the New Walk and King Street area. He is described as white, around 5’10” tall, in his mid twenties to mid thirties, of muscular build with short dark spiky hair. He was wearing a long sleeved dark top, jeans and white trainers.
Following the incident the victim was taken to the Leicester Royal Infirmary by police officers.
He received multiple fractures to his cheek bone, a broken eye socket, a dislodged jaw and the loss of feeling on the left hand side of his face. He underwent major reconstructive surgery following the assault, which involved having metal plates being used to rebuild his facial structure.
The victim is urging witnesses and anyone with information to come forward. He said: “I have been left scarred both physically and emotionally by this unprovoked attack but I’m very fortunate that my eye sight was not permanently damaged.
“I have been suffering with severe anxiety and post traumatic stress. The assault has not only had a massive impact on me, but also on my family. I feel very vulnerable and have lost my self-confidence.
“An incident that lasted just two seconds will affect me for the rest of my life. What makes things worse is that I know that the person who did this is evading justice and is walking freely on the streets. I imagine that he has no idea of how my life is in pieces; maybe he wouldn’t care anyway. When this man is brought to justice, I may be able to start rebuilding my life.
“I am sure that somebody must recognize him from the CCTV images and I plead with anyone who does to contact the police so that my family and I can start to rebuild our lives and before he attacks someone else.”
Police released CCTV of the suspect in December 2012, but unfortunately he has not been located.
Detective Andy Spence, who is investigating the incident, said: “Following our last appeal we received some really useful information from members of the public, which meant that we were able to eliminate three people from our enquiries.
“The victim has suffered tremendously and our CCTV enquiries show that this appears to be an unprovoked assault. He has shown real bravery in coming forward and making this personal appeal and I hope that people with information, who haven’t come forward before, will have the same courage as him and get in touch.
“I still believe that there are people out there who know who the offender is and hope that they will come forward. Hopefully someone will also recognise him from the image and we will be able to help us locate him.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact DC 822 Andy Spence on 101, follow the instructions to leave a message for a police officer and when prompted key in the officer's identification number 0822. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers, which is free and anonymous, on 0800 555 111.
Calls to 101 cost 15p for the entire call from both mobile ‘phones and land lines. Please note some mobile ‘phone service providers may charge for the call in Crimestoppers.
